Hybrid transistor

ABSTRACT

A hybrid transistor ( 58 ) has a substrate ( 42 ) with a first (e.g., P type) well region ( 46 ) and a second (e.g., N type) well region ( 44 ) with an NP or PN junction ( 43 ) therebetween. A MOS portion ( 70 - 3 ) of the hybrid transistor ( 58 ) has an (e.g., N type) source region ( 48 ) in the first well region ( 46 ) and a gate conductor ( 52 ) overlying and insulated from the well regions ( 46, 44 ) that extends laterally at least to the junction ( 43 ). A drain or anode (D/A) portion ( 71 - 3 ) in the second well region ( 44 ) collects current  56  from the source region ( 48 ), and includes a bipolar transistor ( 78 ) having an (e.g., N+) emitter region ( 64 ), a (e.g., P type) base region ( 59 ) and a (e.g., N type) collector region ( 62 ) laterally separated from the junction ( 43 ). Different LDMOS-like or IGBT-like properties are obtained depending on whether the current  56  is extracted from the hybrid transistor ( 58 ) via the bipolar transistor ( 78 ) base ( 59 ) or emitter ( 64 ) or both. The bipolar transistor ( 78 ) is desirably a vertical hetero-junction transistor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to semiconductor devices andcircuits and methods for fabricating semiconductor devices and circuits,and more particularly relates to semiconductor devices and circuitsembodying a series coupled combination of insulated gate (IG) fieldeffect transistor (FET) and bipolar transistor (BT) devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Insulated gate field effect transistors (IGFETs) are much used in modernelectronics as individual devices and as part of various integratedcircuits (ICs). Metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices are a well knownform of IGFETs and are commonly referred to by the abbreviation MOSFET.The abbreviations MOS and MOSFET and the terms for which they stand arecommonly used in the art to refer to IGFETs irrespective of whether theconductive gate of such devices is metallic or of some other conductor,and irrespective of whether the gate insulator is of oxide or some otherdielectric. Unless specifically noted otherwise, this broaderinterpretation of the abbreviations MOS, MOSFET and the terms for whichthey stand is intended herein, that is, any conductive material and notjust metallic elements may be used for the gate conductor and anydielectric material and not just oxides may be used for the gateinsulator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of alaterally-diffused-metal-oxide-semiconductor (LDMOS) device according tothe prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a lateralinsulated-gate-bipolar-transistor (LIGBT) semiconductor device accordingto the prior art;

FIG. 3 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a hybrid transistoraccording to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 4-11 show simplified cross-sectional views of the hybridtransistor of FIG. 3 during various stages of manufacture according tofurther embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of theinvention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by anyexpressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field,background, or the following detailed description.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements or regions in the figures may beexaggerated relative to other elements or regions to help improveunderstanding of embodiments of the invention.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth” and the like in thedescription and the claims, if any, may be used for distinguishingbetween similar elements or steps and not necessarily for describing aparticular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understoodthat the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriatecircumstances such that the embodiments of the invention describedherein are, for example, capable of operation or arrangement insequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “comprise,” “include,” “have” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsor steps is not necessarily limited to those elements or steps, but mayinclude other elements or steps not expressly listed or inherent to suchprocess, method, article, or apparatus. The term “coupled,” as usedherein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in an electricalor non-electrical manner. As used herein the terms “substantial” and“substantially” mean sufficient to accomplish the stated purpose in apractical manner and that minor imperfections, if any, are notsignificant for the stated purpose.

As used herein, the term “semiconductor” and the abbreviation “SC” areintended to include any semiconductor whether single crystal,poly-crystalline or amorphous and to include type IV semiconductors,non-type IV semiconductors, compound semiconductors as well as organicand inorganic semiconductors. Further, the terms “substrate”,“semiconductor substrate” and “SC substrate” are intended to includesingle crystal structures, polycrystalline structures, amorphousstructures, thin film structures, layered structures as for example andnot intended to be limiting, semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI)structures, insulator on semiconductor (IOS) structures and combinationsthereof

For convenience of explanation and not intended to be limiting,semiconductor devices and methods of fabrication are described hereinfor silicon semiconductors, but persons of skill in the art willunderstand that other semiconductor materials may also be used.Additionally, various device types and/or doped SC regions may beidentified as being of N type or P type, but this is merely forconvenience of description and not intended to be limiting, and suchidentification may be replaced by the more general description of beingof a “first conductivity type” or a “second, opposite conductivity type”where the first type may be either N or P type and the second type isthen either P or N type.

Various embodiments of the invention will be illustrated for N-channelMOSFETs and NPN bipolar transistors or elements thereof, but, again,this is merely for convenience of description and is not intended to belimiting. Persons of skill in the art will understand that P-channelMOSFETs and related bipolar devices or regions and other semiconductordevices and circuits embodying either or both N and P or P and Ncombinations may be provided by appropriate interchange of conductivitytypes in the various regions. For convenience of description, theconvention is adopted in the various drawings of identifying theexemplary (e.g., N-channel) configuration by placing the correspondingconductivity type in parentheses following the associated referencenumber. For example, in FIGS. 1-11, body or well region contacts 27, 47are identified as 27(P+), 47(P+), source regions 28, 48 are identifiedas 28(N+), 48(N+), well regions 24, 44; 26, 46 are identified as 24(N),44(N); 26(P), 46(P), etc., to illustrate the exemplary conductivitytypes for an N-channel embodiment. It will be understood that this is byway of example and not limitation.

Various modifications have been made to conventional MOSFETs or IGFETsto improve their various properties, e.g., breakdown voltage, gain,leakage current, etc. Nevertheless, there is an ongoing need for furtherimprovements and flexibility. This is especially true when the MOSFETand/or IGFET is being combined with other device types such as bipolarregions or transistors as part of an integrated circuit (IC) and/orbeing fabricated using a common manufacturing process. The variousembodiments of the invention illustrated herein provide devices ofimproved and flexible properties.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified cross-sectional view oflaterally-diffused-metal-oxide-semiconductor (LDMOS) device 20 accordingto the prior art. LDMOS device 20 comprises semiconductor (SC) substrate22 (e.g., P type) extending to upper surface 21. Substrate 22 includes(e.g., N type) well region 24 and (e.g., P type) well region 26separated by NP junction 23, both generally extending to upper surface21. Located within well regions 24, 26 are shallow trench isolation(STI) regions 30 also extending to surface 21, but they may be omittedin other embodiments. Located within well region 26 are (e.g., P+) wellcontact region 27 and (e.g., N+) source region 28, extending to surface21. Located within well region 24 is (e.g., N+) drain region 37extending to surface 21. Located over surface 21 at least between sourceregion 28 and NP junction 23 is (e.g., oxide) gate dielectric 31.Overlying gate dielectric 31 is (e.g., doped poly) gate conductor 32.Gate dielectric 31 and gate conductor 32 may extend partly over (e.g.,drift space) portion 241 of well region 24. Gate conductor 32 haslateral dielectric regions 33 on the left and right edges thereof, tominimize gate-source and gate-drain leakage or capacitance. Source (andwell region) electrode 29 is electrically coupled to source region 28(and well contact region 27). Gate electrode 34 is electrically coupledto gate conductor 32. Drain electrode 38 is electrically coupled todrain region 37.

When appropriate electrical potentials are applied to gate electrode 32and drain electrode 38 relative to well contact region 27 and sourceregion 28, electrically conductive channel 35 forms in well region 26,thereby allowing source-drain (S-D) current 36 to flow from source (S)region 28 through channel (CH) region 35 in well region 26, throughdrift space (DS) 241 in well region 24, underneath STI region 30 (ifpresent) to (e.g., N+) drain (D) region 37. Reference number 70-1,encompassing source (S) region 28 and channel (CH) region 35, identifiesthe origin and primary control region of source-drain (S-D) current 36of device 20. For convenience, this is referred to as “MOS portion” 70-1of device 20. Source terminal 29 is coupled to source (S) region 28 andwell contact region 27, and gate terminal 34 is coupled to gate (G)conductor 32, and both are associated with MOS portion 70-1. Referencenumber 71-1 (hereafter “drain portion” 71-1) encompassing drain (D)region 37 identifies the terminus of source-drain (S-D) current 36 ofdevice 20. Drain (D) terminal 38 is associated with drain (D) region 37

FIG. 2 shows a simplified cross-sectional view oflateral-insulated-gate-bipolar-transistor (LIGBT) semiconductor device40, according to the prior art. Reference number 70-2, encompassingsource (S) region 28 and channel (CH) region 35, identifies the originand primary control region of source-drain (S-D) current 36′ of device40. For convenience, this is referred to as “MOS portion” 70-2 of device40. Source (S) or cathode (C) terminal 29 is coupled to source (S)region 28 and well contact region 27, and gate (G) terminal 34 iscoupled to gate (G) conductor 32, and both are associated with MOSportion 70-2. Reference number 71-2 (hereafter “drain or anode portion”71-2), encompassing buffer (BUF) region 37′ and anode (A) region 39,identifies the terminus of source-drain current 36′ of device 40. Drain(D) or anode (A) terminal 38′ (collectively D/A terminal 38′) isassociated with buffer (BUF) region 37′ and anode (A) region 39.

Many of the elements of MOS portion 70-2 of LIGBT device 40 of FIG. 2are substantially similar in function and overall arrangement with MOSportion 70-1 of device 20 of FIG. 1, and the identification anddiscussion thereof in connection with FIG. 1 is incorporated herein byreference. However, drain or anode portion 71-2 of LIGBT device 40 ofFIG. 2 differs significantly from drain portion 71-1 of LDMOS device 20FIG. 1. In LDMOS device 20 of FIG. 1, S-D current 36 in drain portion71-1 passes through (e.g., N type) drift space 241, underneath STIregion 30 if present, to (e.g., N+) drain region 37. In LIGBT device 40of FIG. 2, S-D current 36′ in drain or anode portion 71-2 passes throughdrift space 241′ analogous to drift space 241, underneath STI region 30if present, and through (e.g., N type) buffer (BUF) region 37′ to (e.g.,P+) anode region 39.

The presence of (e.g., P+) anode region 39 modifies the electricalcharacteristics of LIGBT device 40 of FIG. 2 compared to LDMOS device 20of FIG. 1. In particular, other things being substantially equal, thecurrent flow in LIGBT device 40 is defined by MOS-controlled (e.g., PNP)lateral bipolar junction transistor (BJT) current, where regions 26, 27form the emitter, regions 24 and 37′ form the base, and region 39 formsthe collector of the BJT and MOS-portion 70-2 forms the MOS structure.Specifically, when (e.g., positive) gate voltage higher than thresholdvoltage of the MOS portion is applied with respect to the source orcathode, an inversion channel is formed that connects the (e.g., N+)cathode to (e.g., N type) drift region 241′. This creates the basecurrent of the above-mentioned BJT, which in turn results in amplifiedcurrent at the drain/collector region 39.

In some applications, it is desirable to have a device that can provideproperties analogous to LDMOS device 20 of FIG. 1 or analogous to LIGBTdevice 40 of FIG. 2, manufactured on the same production line and withlittle or no modification (e.g., with only metallization or other“back-end” changes) during the manufacturing process. FIG. 3 shows asimplified cross-sectional view of hybrid transistor or semiconductordevice 58 according to an embodiment of the invention, providing theseand other desirable capabilities. Hybrid transistor or device 58 of FIG.3 comprises semiconductor (SC) substrate 42 (e.g., P type) extending toupper surface 41. Substrate 42 includes (e.g., N type) well region 44and (e.g., P type) well region 46 separated by NP junction 43, bothgenerally extending to upper surface 41. Desirably located within wellregions 44, 46 are shallow trench isolation (STI) regions 50 alsoextending to surface 41, but they may be omitted in other embodiments.Located within well region 46 are (e.g., P+) well contact region 47 and(e.g., N+) source region 48, extending to surface 41. Located within(e.g., N type) well region 44 is drain or anode (D/A) portion 71-3extending to surface 41. Located over surface 41 at least between sourceregion 48 and NP junction 43 is (e.g., oxide) gate dielectric 51.Overlying gate dielectric 51 is (e.g., doped poly) gate conductor 52.Gate dielectric 51 and gate conductor 52 may extend over (e.g., driftspace) portion 441 of well region 44. Gate conductor 52 desirably butnot essentially has lateral dielectric regions 53 on the left and rightedges thereof, to minimize gate-source and gate-drain leakage orcapacitance. Source (S) or cathode (C) electrode 49 (collectively S/Cregion 49) is electrically coupled by (e.g., silicide) contact 49′ tosource (S) region 48 and may also be coupled to well contact (WC) region47. Gate (G) electrode 54 is electrically coupled to gate (G) conductor52 by (e.g., silicide) contact 54′.

When appropriate electrical potentials are applied to gate electrode 54and drain or anode (D/A) portion 71-3 relative to well contact (WC)region 47 and source region 48, electrically conductive channel (CH)region 55 forms in well region 46, thereby allowing source-drain (S-D)current 56 to flow from source (S) or cathode (C) region 48(collectively S/C region 48) through channel (CH) region 55 in wellregion 46, through drift space (DS) 441 in well region 44, underneathSTI region 50 if present, and to one or the other of the externalconnections 61, 65 provided in connection with drain or anode (D/A)portion 71-3. Reference number 70-3 encompassing source or cathode (S/C)region 48 and channel (CH) region 55 identifies the origin and primarycontrol region of source-drain (S-D) current 56 of hybrid transistor ordevice 58. For convenience, this is referred to as “MOS portion orlocation” 70-3 of hybrid transistor or device 58. Source electrode andcontact 49, 49′ is coupled to S/C region 48, and gate electrode andcontact 54, 54′ is coupled to gate (G) conductor 52, and are bothassociated with MOS portion 70-3. Reference number 71-3 identifies theterminus of source-drain (S-D) current 56 of hybrid transistor or device58. As is more fully explained below, external connections or electrodes61 and 65 (and associated contacts 61′, 65′) are associated with drainor anode (D/A) portion 71-3.

Drain or anode (D/A) portion 71-3 of hybrid transistor or device 58 ofFIG. 3 desirably comprises (e.g., NPN) bipolar transistor 78. Forconvenience of description, electrode 61 along with associated contact61′ is identified as a base (B) electrode and contact of bipolartransistor 78 of D/A portion 71-3. Electrode 65 along with associatedcontact 65′ is identified as an emitter (E) electrode and contact ofbipolar transistor 78 of D/A portion 71-3. Desirably associated withbipolar transistor 78 are STI region(s) 50, but they may be replaced inother embodiments by surface dielectric region(s) or layer(s). Forconvenience of description of exemplary embodiments, STI region(s) 50are henceforth assumed to be present. Where these and other regionsappear multiple times in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 3-11, theconvention is adopted of referring to such region(s) with theconditional plural “(s)” indicating that such region(s) may bephysically separate regions or may be a single annular shaped regionthat merely appears as multiple regions in the cross-sectional views ofFIGS. 3-11. Either arrangement is useful.

In a preferred embodiment, (e.g., N type) sub-isolation-buried-layer(SIBL) region(s) 66 underlie STI region(s) 50 in (e.g., N type) wellregion 44 and desirably have an impurity concentration greater than animpurity concentration of (e.g., N type) well region 44. SIBL region(s)66 are desirably used to reduce the series ON-resistance encountered byS-D current 56 flowing to bipolar transistor 78 within D/A portion 71-3.Bipolar transistor 78 desirably includes (e.g., N type) collector region62, (e.g., P type) internal base region 59, (e.g., P+) external basecontact region(s) 60, and (e.g., N+) emitter region 64. Collector region62 is desirably of the same conductivity type as well region 44. In apreferred embodiment, collector region 62 desirably has a greater dopantconcentration than the adjacent material of well region 44, but in otherembodiments well region 44 can directly serve as collector region 62.Dielectric region(s) 63 separate (e.g., N+) emitter region 64 from(e.g., P+) external base region(s) 60. In a preferred embodiment, (e.g.,NPN) bipolar transistor 78 is desirably a hetero junction bipolartransistor, that is, where (e.g., P type) internal base region 59 isformed of a different semiconductor than underlying (e.g., N type)collector region 62 and (e.g., N type) well region 44. SiGe, SiGeC andcombinations thereof are non-limiting examples of materials useful forinternal base region 59 where collector region 60 and/or well region 44comprise silicon. Emitter region 64 may be usefully formed of (e.g., N+)epitaxial silicon or poly-silicon or combinations thereof, but othersemiconductor materials may also be used in other embodiments. External(e.g., P+) base region(s) 60 are usefully formed of doped polysilicon ora combination of (e.g., P+) polysilicon and a metal-silicide, or ananalogous metal-SC alloy for other semiconductor materials. Eitherarrangement is useful. Persons of skill in the art will understand thatdifferent selections of semiconductor materials may be made for thesevarious regions depending upon the semiconductor material used forsubstrate 22 and/or well regions 44, 46.

S-D current 56 flows from source region 48 through channel region 55,across NP junction 43, through drift space 441, underneath STI region(s)50 and associated SIBL regions 66 if present, to collector region 62 ofbipolar transistor 78 of D/A region 71-3, from which it is extracted viabase contact and electrode 61′, 61 and/or emitter contact and electrode65′, 65 or both of bipolar transistor 78. Hybrid transistor or device 58is capable of behaving primarily like an LIGBT device or primarily likean LDMOS device depending on which of contacts and electrodes 61′, 61 or65′, 65 (or a combination thereof) is used for extracting S-D current56. Hybrid transistor or device 58 exhibits LIGBT like behavior whenemitter contact and electrode 65′, 65 is, for example, left floatingwith respect to base contact and electrode 61′, 61 or, at most, ACcoupled, e.g., to an external bias terminal. Hybrid transistor or device58 exhibits LDMOS-like operation when emitter contact and electrode 65′,65 and base contact and electrode 61′, 61 are DC coupled. Accordingly,the selection of which type of device behavior is provided can be madeat the back-end metallization stage of manufacturing after the variousdoped regions (and in some embodiments, surface passivation layers) havebeen formed. For example: (i) LIGBT behavior is obtained by using basecontact and electrode 61′, 61 leading to (e.g., P type) base region 59,60 to extract S-D current 56, or (ii) LDMOS like behavior is obtained byusing emitter contact and electrode 65′, 65 leading to (e.g., N+)emitter region 64, through internal base region 59 to collector region62 in N-well region 44 to extract S-D current 56. In configuration (ii),some of S-D current 56 may also be extracted via base contact andelectrode 61′, 61. Depending upon which of configurations (i) or (ii) isbeing used, the other electrode of D/A portion 71-3, e.g., contact andelectrode 65′, 65 for LIGBT behavior or contact and electrode 61′, 61for LDMOS like behavior, may be left floating or DC biased to adjust theproperties of bipolar transistor 78. Accordingly, the arrangement ofhybrid transistor or device 58 provides great design flexibility. Thisis very desirable.

Hybrid transistor or device 58 provides both LDMOS-like and LIGBT-likeoperation in a single structure, depending on how it is connected. Whenonly base 59, 60 of NPN 78 is biased, hybrid transistor or device 58operates as a typical LIGBT with base 59, 60 of NPN 78 being thecollector of the LIGBT. When only emitter 64 of NPN 78 is biased (e.g.,at voltages higher than the turn-on voltage of the emitter-base junctionof (e.g., NPN) transistor 78), bipolar current is suppressed and the ONcurrent is defined by either electrons or holes, resulting in LDMOS-likebehavior with emitter 64 of NPN 78 being the drain of the LDMOS. Becauseof its ability to provide either LDMOS-like or IGBT-like behaviordepending upon the connections, hybrid transistor or device 58 may alsobe referred to as a multi-function transistor or device.

FIGS. 4-11 show simplified cross-sectional views of hybrid transistor ordevice 58 of FIG. 3 during various stages 404-411 of manufactureaccording to further embodiments of the invention. The bracketsidentifying MOS portion 70-3 and D/A portion 71-3 are included in FIGS.4-11 to facilitate relating structures 604-611 of FIGS. 4-11 to hybridtransistor or device 58 of FIG. 3. Referring now to manufacturing stage404 of FIG. 4, (e.g., P type) substrate 42 having upper surface 41 isprovided. In a preferred embodiment, upper (e.g., P type) portion 42′ ofsubstrate 42 may be formed epitaxially, but in other embodiments neednot be epitaxial. Cavity(s) 50′ have been etched in surface 41 and mask80 applied over surface 41 and cavities 50′. Mask 80 has open portion(s)80-1 and closed portion(s) 80-2. Open portion(s) 80-1 are substantiallyaligned with at least some of cavity(s) 50′, desirably those associatedwith D/A portion 71-3. Implant (IMP) A (e.g., N type) is providedthrough open portion(s) 80-1 overlying some of cavity(s) 50′, desirablyto form (e.g., N type) sub-isolation-buried-layer (SIBL) region(s) 66 ofD/A portion 71-3, but SIBL regions 66 may be omitted in furtherembodiments. Structure 604 results.

Referring now to manufacturing stage 405 of FIG. 5, mask 80 is removedfrom structure 604. A dielectric layer (not shown) of sufficientthickness to fill cavity(s) 50′ of FIG. 4 is provided over surface 41and then planarized, e.g., using chemical-mechanical-polishing (CMP).Structure 605 results, wherein cavity(s) 50′ of structure 604 are filledby such dielectric thereby forming shallow-trench-isolation region(s) 50shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Referring now to manufacturing stage 406 of FIG.6, mask 81 having open portion 81-1 and closed portion 81-2 is appliedover surface 41. Implant (IMP) B is applied through open portion 81-1 toform (e.g. N type) well region 44 in substrate 42. Well region (e.g., Ptype) 46 shown in FIG. 6 may be provided by (e.g., P type) portion 42′of substrate 42 underlying closed mask portion 81-2. Well region 46 mayalso be formed by replacing mask 81 by inverse mask 81′ (not shown)having an opening in the location of closed portion 81-2 of mask 81 anda closed portion in the location of open portion 81-1 of mask 81 andthen providing (e.g., P type) implant B′ (not shown) through the openportion of mask 81′. This procedure is useful where it is desired tohave (e.g. P type) well region 46 have a different doping configurationthan that of region 42′ (see FIG. 5) of substrate 42, but eitherarrangement is useful. NP junction 43 is formed between (e.g., N type)well region 44 and (e.g., P type) well region 46. Structure 606 results.

Referring now to manufacturing stage 407 of FIG. 7, gate dielectriclayer 51′ of MOS portion 70-3 is formed over surface 41 using means wellknown in the art. Gate dielectric layer 51′ may be formed by, e.g.,oxidation of surface 41 or by deposition of the desired dielectric.Layer 51′ is the precursor to MOS gate insulator 51 of FIGS. 3 and 8-11.Layer 51′ may be formed over substantially all of surface 41 or belocalized to substantially the future location of gate conductor 52.Either arrangement is useful. Conductor layer 52′ (not shown) is thendeposited overlying dielectric layer 51′ and patterned to provide gateconductor 52 in the desired location within MOS portion 70-3. Rightwardedge 522 of gate conductor 52 should extend laterally at least to NPjunction 43. Leftward edge 521 of gate conductor 52, in combination withremaining portions of overlying dielectric layer 53′ determine in partthe subsequent location of source region 48 of FIG. 3. Dielectric layer53′, e.g., of silicon nitride, is desirably provided over surface 41 andgate conductor 52. Dielectric layer 53′ is subsequently convenientlyused to provide lateral dielectric region(s) 53 of FIG. 3 at leftlateral edge 521 and right lateral edge 522 of gate conductor 52, butmay be omitted in other embodiments. Structure 607 results. The functionof optional mask 82 shown by dashed lines in FIG. 7 is explained inconnection with FIG. 8.

In manufacturing stage 408 of FIG. 8, (e.g., NPN) bipolar transistor 78is formed in D/A portion 71-3. Collector region 62, internal base region59, external base region 602, dielectric layer 63 and emitter region 64are formed using methods well known in the art, so that transistor 78illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8-10 results. While bipolar transistor 78 isbeing formed, MOS portion 70-3 is protected. This may be accomplished inseveral ways. Referring again to FIG. 7, according to one embodiment,e.g., hard mask 82 is provided. Mask 82 has closed portion 82-1overlying MOS portion 70-3 and open portion overlying D/A portion 71-3in which bipolar transistor 78 can be formed without disturbing MOSportion 70-3. After formation of bipolar transistor 78, mask 82 is thenremoved as shown in FIG. 8.

According to another embodiment, mask 82 is omitted and layer 53′ orequivalent serves as protection for MOS portion 70-3 during formation ofbipolar transistor 78 in D/A portion 71-3. Since MOS portion 70-3(including dielectric layer 53′) is exposed during this operation,various layers needed to form bipolar transistor 78 may also cover allor part of MOS portion 70-3. These may be removed incrementally as thevarious portions of bipolar transistor 78 are patterned or, as shown inFIG. 8, e.g., soft mask 82′ is applied substantially after bipolartransistor 78 is finished. Mask 82′ is substantially the inverse of mask82, that is, having open portion 82′-1 corresponding substantially toclosed portion 82-1 of mask 82 and closed portion 82′-2 correspondingsubstantially to open portion 82-2 of mask 82. When bipolar transistor78 is substantially complete, open portion 82′-2 of mask 82′ is used toremove all those layers needed for bipolar transistor 78 that haveaccumulated over MOS portion 70-3, once again exposing dielectric layer53′, while leaving D/A portion 71-3 substantially undisturbed. Eitherarrangement or variations thereof are useful. Mask 82′ is then removed.Structure 607 results.

Referring again to manufacturing stages 407-408 of FIGS. 7-8, (e.g.,NPN) bipolar transistor 78, less metal contacts 61′, 65′ and electrodes61, 65, is formed in D/A portion 71-3 using means well known in the art.That portion of dielectric layer 53′ overlying D/A portion 71-3 may beremoved prior to forming bipolar transistor 78 or in part before and inpart during formation of bipolar transistor 78. Either arrangement isuseful. In forming bipolar transistor 78, for example and not intendedto be limiting, (e.g., N type) doped collector region 62 is provided inD/A portion 71-3, preferably about centrally located between STI regions50 of D/A portion 71-3. Collector region 62 may be recessed orsubstantially extend to surface 41. Either arrangement is useful.Internal (e.g., P type) base region 59 is formed overlying collectorregion 62, preferably by epitaxial growth. As noted earlier, internalbase region 59 is desirably of a different semiconductor material thansubstrate 42 and well region 44, as for example, and not intended to belimiting, of SiGe, SiGeC or combinations thereof, so as to form a heterojunction bipolar transistor. External (e.g., P type) base region(s) 60are formed and patterned so as to provide Ohmic electrical contact tointernal base region 59. Regions 59 and 60 may be provided in eitherorder, depending upon the available manufacturing capabilities.

A dielectric layer is provided overlying base region(s) 59, 60 andpatterned to provide lateral dielectric region(s) 63 for separatingexternal base region(s) 60 from subsequent emitter region 64. A centralportion of internal base region 59 is exposed between lateral dielectricregion(s) 63. Emitter (e.g., N+) region 64 is formed in contact with acentral portion of (e.g., P type) internal base region 59, and separatedfrom (e.g., P type) external base region(s) 60 by lateral dielectricregion(s) 63. Emitter region 64 may be usefully formed of (e.g., N+)epitaxial silicon or poly silicon or a combination thereof, but othersemiconductor materials may also be used. As has been explained above,during the foregoing operations for forming (e.g., NPN) bipolartransistor 78 in D/A portion 71-3, MOS portion 70-3 is substantiallyundisturbed. Structure 608 results.

Referring now to manufacturing stage 409, dielectric layer 53′ isselectively etched to form dielectric regions 53 at the lateral edges ofgate conductor 52, using methods well known in the art. Mask 84 isprovided protecting bipolar transistor 78 of D/A portion 71-3 while MOSportion 70-3 is being finished. Mask 84 (e.g., photoresist) has openportion(s) 84-1 and closed portion(s) 84-2. Open portion 84-1encompasses at least the desired location of source region 48. Implant(IMP) C is then provided through mask opening 84-1 to form source region48. Opening 84-1 may also include gate conductor 52, depending onwhether gate conductor 52 will benefit from implant (IMP) C used to formsource region 48. Either arrangement is useful. Structure 609 results.

Referring now to manufacturing stage 410 of FIG. 10, mask 85 is providedhaving open portion 85-1 and closed portions 85-2. Open portion 85-1 isintended to define the lateral extend of (e.g., P+) well contact region47, provided by (e.g., P type) implant (IMP) D. Other than contactmetallization and any desired interconnections, hybrid transistor ordevice 58 is substantially finished. To avoid cluttering the drawings,conventional surface passivation layers applied before, during or afterformation of electrical contacts to MOS portion 70-3 and D/A portion71-3 are not shown. Structure 610 results. Manufacturing stages 409, 410may be performed in either order.

Referring now to manufacturing stage 411 of FIG. 11, e.g., silicide orother metal-SC alloy contacts 41′, 54′, 61′, and 65′ are formed on theexposed semiconductor regions 47 and 48, 52, 60, and 64, respectively,and not substantially on any exposed dielectric areas using methods wellknown in the art. However, in other embodiments, such contacts may beformed individually or in other groups. Either arrangement is useful.Structure 611 results. Except for provision of electrodes 49, 54, 61,and 65 as shown in FIG. 3, hybrid transistor or device 58 issubstantially finished. Connection or lack thereof to base electrode 61and emitter electrode 65 may be made at this stage, thus determining thetypes of properties exhibited by hybrid transistor or device 58, e.g.,either LDMOS-like or IGBT-like, even though hybrid transistor or device58 has been processed through the same manufacturing stages 404-411leading to structure 611. Thus, the structure and method illustrated inthe embodiments of FIGS. 3-11 provide great flexibility andmanufacturing economy. These are valuable attributes.

According to first embodiment, there is provided a hybrid transistor(58), comprising, a substrate (42) having therein a first well region(46) of a first conductivity type, a second well region (44) of asecond, opposite, conductivity type, extending substantially to a firstsurface (41) of the substrate (42), the first (46) and second (44) wellregions forming an NP or PN junction (43) therebetween, an MOS portion(70-3) having a source region (48) of the second conductivity typeextending to the first surface (41) in the first well region (46), andhaving a gate conductor (52) overlying and insulated from the firstsurface (41) at least over the first well region (46) with a firstlateral end (521) proximate the source region (48) and a second lateralend (522) extending at least to the NP or PN junction (43), and a drainor anode (D/A) portion (71-3) in the second (44) well region, the D/Aportion (71-3) comprising a bipolar transistor (78) having an emitterregion (64) of the second conductivity type, a base region (59) of thefirst conductivity type communicating with the emitter region (64), anda collector region (62) of the second conductivity type communicatingwith the base region (59), wherein the collector region (62) is locatedin the second well region (44) laterally separated from the NP or PNjunction (43). According to a further embodiment, the hybrid transistor(58) further comprises a principal terminal (61) thereof coupled to thebase region (59) but not connected to the emitter region (64). Accordingto a still further embodiment, the hybrid transistor (58) furthercomprises a principal terminal (65) thereof coupled to the emitterregion (64) but not connected to the base region (59). According to ayet further embodiment, the hybrid transistor (58) further comprises aprincipal terminal (61, 65) thereof coupled to both the emitter region(64) and the base region (59). According to a still yet furtherembodiment, the hybrid transistor (58) further comprises a dielectricfilled shallow trench isolation (STI) region (50) laterally located inthe second well region (44) between the NP or PN junction (43) and thecollector region (62) of the bipolar transistor (78). According to a yetstill further embodiment, the hybrid transistor (58) further comprises asub-isolation-buried-layer (SIBL) region (66) beneath the STI region(50) in the second well region (44), and having a dopant concentrationlarger than the second well region (44). According to anotherembodiment, the bipolar transistor (78) is a hetero junction bipolartransistor. According to a still another embodiment, the base region(59) of the bipolar transistor (78) is formed of a differentsemiconductor material than the collector region (62). According to ayet another embodiment, the bipolar transistor (78) is substantially avertical transistor with the emitter region (64), the base region (59)and the collector region (62) arranged substantially one above theother.

According to a second embodiment, there is provided a method for forminga transistor (58) comprising, providing a substrate (42) having thereina first well region (46) of a first conductivity type and a second wellregion (44) of a second, opposite, conductivity type, extendingsubstantially to a first surface (41) of the substrate (42), the first(46) and second (44) well regions forming an NP or PN junction (43)therebetween, and wherein the first (46) and the second (44) wellregions have therein an MOS-portion (70-3) and the second well region(44) has therein a drain or anode (D/A) portion (71-3), forming in theMOS-portion (70-3), a gate conductor (52) overlying and insulated fromthe first surface (41) at least over the first well region (46) andhaving a first lateral end (521) adapted to substantially locate a firstedge (481) of a subsequently formed source region (48) within the firstwell region (46) and a second lateral end (522) extending at least tothe NP and PN junction (43), protecting the MOS-portion (70-3) while abipolar transistor (78) is subsequently formed in the D/A portion (71-3)in the second well region (44), forming the bipolar transistor (78) inthe second well region (44), wherein the bipolar transistor comprises anemitter region (64) of the second conductivity type, an internal baseregion (59) of the first conductivity type communicating with theemitter region (64), and a collector region (62) of the secondconductivity type communicating with the internal base region (59),protecting the D/A portion (71-3) and, in either order, forming thesource region (48) of the second conductivity type in the first (46)well region and having the first edge (481) laterally proximate thefirst lateral end (521) of the gate conductor (52), and forming a wellcontact region (47) of the first conductivity type in the first (46)well region, and forming multiple conductive contacts (49′, 54′, 61′,65′) communicating respectively with the source region (48), the gateconductor (52), the internal base region (59) of the bipolar transistor(78) and the emitter region (64) of the bipolar transistor (78).According to a further embodiment, the method further comprises forminga conductive first well region contact (47) in the first well region(46), sharing a conductive contact (49′) with the source region (48).According to a still further embodiment, the step of providing thesubstrate (42), further comprises forming one or moreshallow-trench-isolation (STI) regions (50) extending into the substrate(42) from the first surface (41). According to a yet further embodiment,the step of forming one or more shallow-trench-isolation (STI) regions(50), further comprises, forming sub-isolation-buried-layer (SIBL)regions (66) of the second conductivity type underlying at least some ofthe one or more STI regions (50). According to a still yet furtherembodiment, the step of forming the bipolar transistor (78) comprises,forming a hetero junction bipolar transistor (78). According to a yetstill further embodiment, the step of forming the hetero-junctionbipolar transistor (78), comprises, forming the hetero junction bipolartransistor (78) having a base region (59) of a different semiconductormaterial than the second well region (44).

According to a third embodiment, there is provided a multifunctiontransistor (58), comprising, an MOS portion (70-3) and a drain or anode(D/A) portion (71-3), respectively, in first (46) and second (44) wellregions of different conductivity types, and with a lateral NP or PNjunction (43) therebetween, wherein the MOS portion (70-3) comprises inthe first well region (46) a source region (48) and a first well contactregion (47), which source region (48) and first well contact (47) regionsubstantially share a common electrode (49′), and wherein the D/Aportion (71-3) comprises in the second well region (44) a substantiallyvertical hetero-junction bipolar transistor (78) having a baseconnection (61′) and an emitter connection (65′) that may be usedseparately or together as a principal electrode of the multifunctiontransistor (58). According to a further embodiment, the principalelectrode of the multifunction transistor (58) is coupled to the emitterconnection (65′). According to a still further embodiment, the principalelectrode of the multifunction transistor (58) is coupled to the baseconnection (61′). According to a yet further embodiment, the principalelectrode of the multifunction transistor (58) is coupled to both thebase connection (61′) and the emitter connection (65′). According to astill yet further embodiment, the transistor (58) further comprises inthe MOS portion (70-3) a gate conductor (52) insulated at least from thefirst well region (46) and extending laterally substantially from thesource region (48) to at least the NP or PN junction (43).

While at least one exemplary embodiment and method of fabrication hasbeen presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention,it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. Itshould also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplaryembodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope,applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, theforegoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the artwith a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, it being understood that various changes may be made inthe function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplaryembodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hybrid transistor, comprising: a substratehaving therein a first well region of a first conductivity type, asecond well region of a second, opposite, conductivity type, extendingsubstantially to a first surface of the substrate, the first and secondwell regions forming an NP or PN junction therebetween; a MOS portionhaving a source region of the second conductivity type extending to thefirst surface in the first well region, and having a gate conductoroverlying and insulated from the first surface at least over the firstwell region with a first lateral end proximate the source region and asecond lateral end extending at least to the NP or PN junction; and adrain or anode (D/A) portion in the second well region, the D/A portioncomprising a bipolar transistor having an emitter region of the secondconductivity type, a base region of the first conductivity typecommunicating with the emitter region, and a collector region of thesecond conductivity type communicating with the base region, wherein thecollector region is located in the second well region laterallyseparated from the NP or PN junction.
 2. The hybrid transistor of claim1, having a principal terminal thereof coupled to the base region butnot connected to the emitter region.
 3. The hybrid transistor of claim1, having a principal terminal thereof coupled to the emitter region butnot connected to the base region.
 4. The hybrid transistor of claim 1,having a principal terminal thereof coupled to both the emitter regionand the base region.
 5. The hybrid transistor of claim 1, furthercomprising dielectric filled shallow trench isolation (STI) regionlaterally located in the second well region between the NP or PNjunction and the collector region of the bipolar transistor.
 6. Thehybrid transistor of claim 5, further comprising asub-isolation-buried-layer (SIBL) region beneath the STI region in thesecond well region, and having a dopant concentration larger than thesecond well region.
 7. The hybrid transistor of claim 1, wherein thebipolar transistor is a hetero-junction bipolar transistor.
 8. Thehybrid transistor of claim 7, wherein the base region of the bipolartransistor is formed of a different semiconductor material than thecollector region.
 9. The hybrid transistor of claim 1, wherein thebipolar transistor is substantially a vertical transistor with theemitter region, the base region and the collector region arrangedsubstantially one above the other.
 10. A multifunction transistor,comprising: a first well region of a first conductivity type; a secondwell region of a second conductivity type, the second well regionforming a lateral NP or PN junction with the first well region; a MOSportion formed in at least one of the first and second well regions, theMOS portion comprising: a source region in the first well region; and afirst well contact region in the first well region; a common electrodeshared by the source region and the first well contact region; a drainor anode (D/A) portion formed in at least one of the first and secondwell regions; and a substantially vertical hetero junction bipolartransistor in the DA portion, the substantially vertical hetero-junctionbipolar transistor having a base connection and an emitter connectionthat may be used separately or together as a principal electrode of themultifunction transistor.
 11. A multifunction transistor of claim 10,wherein the principal electrode of the multifunction transistor iscoupled to the emitter connection.
 12. A multifunction transistor ofclaim 10, wherein the principal electrode of the multifunctiontransistor is coupled to the base connection.
 13. A multifunctiontransistor of claim 10, wherein the principal electrode of themultifunction transistor is coupled to both the base connection and theemitter connection.
 14. The multifunction transistor of claim 10,further comprising in the MOS portion a gate conductor insulated atleast from the first well region and extending laterally substantiallyfrom the source region to at least the NP or PN junction.